Methods and Techniques in Neurobiology

6 EC

Semester 1, period 2

5234MTIN6Y

Owner Master Biomedical Sciences
Coordinator dr. A. Korosi
Part of Master Biomedical Sciences, track Psychopharmacology and Pathophysiology, year 1

Course manual 2016/2017

Course content

The course will cover the following topics: Molecular (e.g. transgenic animal, viral vectors, microarray), epigenetic, histological (immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization), neuropathology, electrophysiological techniques and behavioral paradigms used in neuroscience; pathology of the human brain with focus on neurodegenerative and developmental disorders.

Students will have a chance to experience hands on behavioral techniques.

Students will participate in visits to specialized facilities at the UvA (microscopy and microarray centers); Visit to a company (Danone Nutricia Research), and have insight to point of view of media on basic science by a scientific journalist.

Study materials

Literature

  • Relevant review papers will be made available beforehand on Blackboard.

Objectives

After finishing this course, the student is able to:

  • describe the current methods used in neuroscience.
  • critically judge the methodology used in scientific research.
  • perform and analyse hands-on experiments in the lab.
  • analyse large microarray data set and present it.
  • design an experiment in the form of a grant proposal.
  • write a behavioural report, based on your own experiment.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Seminar
  • Computer lab session/practical training
  • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
  • Self-study
  • Presentation/symposium
  • Supervision/feedback meeting

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Computerpracticum

4

Excursie

2

Hoorcollege

61

Practicum

16

Tentamen

4

Zelfstudie

81

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

35%

Exam

Allows retake

20%

Micro array analysis

15%

Behavioural reprt

30%

Design your experiment

Inspection of assessed work

The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.

Assignments

Behavioural report

  • In groups you will write a report about the method and the analysis of the experiment you performed in the lab.

Design an experiment

  • In groups you will design an experiment on a research question and describe it in the form of a grant proposal.

Micro array analysis

  • In groups you will analyse and present an existing data set.

Onderstaande opdrachten komen aan bod in deze cursus:

  •    Naam opdracht 1 : beschrijving 2
  •    Naam opdracht 2 : beschrijving 1
  •    ....

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.uva.nl/plagiarism

Course structure

Course structure and deadlines can be found on Blackboard.

 

Additional information

This course has a Blackboard site.

Course will be taught in English.

Test animals will be used for behavioral experiments.

Contact information

Coordinator

  • dr. A. Korosi